The Wall Street Journal reported new details regarding Iran's missile strike on the "Muwaffaq Salti" airbase in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members. The attack involved three missiles that successfully bypassed the air defense system, leading to questions about the protection effectiveness of American military facilities in the Middle East, where approximately 50,000 U.S. service members are stationed.
The first missile hit a gym, prompting a siren to sound and allowing most military personnel to take cover, though some were injured. A few hours later, a second missile struck an empty aircraft hangar. The third missile hit living quarters where service members were resting, and despite repeated alarms, not everyone reached shelters in time.
The Pentagon confirmed the deaths of a first lieutenant from Hawaii and a private from Texas, and another American service member was listed as missing in action. The exact circumstances of the deaths, whether inside buildings or while seeking shelter, remain unclear. This incident, which occurred on July 17, is expected to intensify discussions in the U.S. about the reliability of protection systems for American facilities in the Middle East due to the direct impact on personnel locations.
